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Please Help

M

Michael Charles

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Mar 11, 2006
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I am new to the spinny world. Actually, I have not even entered this wonderful world yet. I am outside looking in and I like what I see. I am hoping to jump into this, in the very near future, if and when I will be able to convince LOML to agree to let me purchase the items I need to begin.
I have several problems.
1. I know NOTHING about this form of wood working.
2. When I talk LOML into letting me get into this world I will have a VERY LIMITED BUDGET. I am talking in the range of $500 for everything I will need upfront. (lathe, gouges, safty equip., sharpening equip, etc.)
I think I mainly want to start out with turning pens and small bowls, and gradually move up to more difficult items if and when my skill level improves.
That being said what and where can I get a good pen kit to use with the lathe?
I have been doing alot of studing on this subject matter via the internet, this is how I found this site. From what I can figure out, the lathe I probably need to start out on is the HF34706. Would this be a good choice? What other specific items would you choose? Please, be VERY specific when describing something or if possible send a link. Also, please keep in mind my very limited budget.
Mike
 
http://www.pennstateind.com/store/jmini-ss2.html

I would suggest getting a jet mini to start with especially if you are looking at pens. Jet makes a very high quality mini-lathe. You could get a cheaper lathe, but Jet is good stuff!! I have a jet mini lathe and I like it. You can get the lathe in variable speed or in manual. The variable speed has a knob that you can adjust the speed with (a lot like a dimmer on a light switch)... manual is where you have to change the belts. Changing the belts takes all of 30 seconds and the variable speed is a full $100 more -- why waste the money! Save the money and get a quality tool set. This lathe is quite nice: you can turn up to 14" spindles; if you got into turning baseball bats or ballusters you could get an extension bed which would extend the length. The lathe has a ten inch swing. So, technically you could get a ten inch bowl on it, but the tool rest takes up room so you realistically have more like 8" swing. This lathe is great for many different small fun good-learning projects. You can turn tops, bowls, boxes, dishes, spoons, stirrers, spatulas, magic wands, honey dippers, Christmas ornaments, and millions of other stuff. Another reason I would recommend this lathe is because you get a good discount if you buy their pen setup like on the website I posted above.

Another thing that I HIGHLY recommend is the book and DVD "Turning Wood" by Richard Raffan. This guy is probably the most famous guy in the turning world... so get that stuff. If you read/watch those, I would also recommend his "Turning Projects" DVD which is cool.
If you get a pen turning set-up (which comes with a lathe and pen supplies) it also comes with a couple of turning tools. These are cheap carbon and they will work for beginning, but you might consider getting a better quality set. So... If you get a setup with the manual Jet you'll save $125.95 meaning you'll have about $156.40 left over from your $500 to spend on other goodies. Someone else'll probably come by and spend the rest of the money for you! 😀 Hope I have been of help!

Jonathon
 
Michael,
I can't offer much beyond what Jonathan said, and he gave good advice, except to say that, in my opinion, Raffan will surely "show" you how he does things but I'm not sure he'll "teach" you much about "how" he does it. Save some of that cash and find your local turning club from the lists of AAW chapters here on the home page and get in touch with them for lots of friendly help.

Best of luck.
 
Jonathan's advice is on the money when it comes to a good starter lathe. The Jet mini is a great way to see if turning is for you before spending money on bigger iron. You may find it is all you ever need. I'd also agree with his statement on variable speed. On this size lathe you won't miss it.

Starting out with $500 is doable but be aware that that is just the beginning. You obviously need tools (a topic in itself), but other items are needed as well. A sharpening system is essential so leave some budget for a decent 6" bench grinder. Be sure it works with fine-grit Aluminum Oxide wheels. Next, for pens/bottlestoppers, etc would will need mandrels and bushings. These can add up pretty quick. Do some research on them.

A good chuck is also an item most people get sooner rather than later. My first chuck (a OneWay Talon) cost almost as much as the lathe. You might want to check the Jet-Mini bundles that are out now. They come with a decent chuck for less money that you would pay buying separate.
 
Your budget is quite limited for new equipment, another good reason to find a chapter in your area. Woodturners are always upgrading, and tend to acquire more tools than needed, as you'll eventually find out for yourself if you are bitten by the bug. Join a club, visit turners in their shops, try out their equipment, and make offers on stuff they don't need that you can use.
Very likely you'll find someone with one of those cheap imports, ready to sell cheap to help finance their next lathe purchase.
 
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New turner

Welcome to the realm of the insane!!!! Beware!!!!There is NO cure!!!
The turtle does not get ahead unless he sticks his neck out! GO 4 IT!!!!
And good luck. There are always a lot of folks ready to help you over the slivvers......
 
I have an additional thought that may be helpful. I was doing a demo w/ my club a few mos ago. A husband and wife were closely watching and asking questions as I turned a pen. She had left for a few minutes, during that time the husband explained he really wanted to buy a lathe and some tools but his wife wasn't sure the "timing" was right. In a short time she returned. I immediately brought her around to my side of the lathe and allowed her a few cuts w/ a spindle gouge. After about 5 min she was sold. They came back the next day and purchased a lathe and necessary tools. ( he and I had composed a list the day before ). I also invited them to come to our turning club. His only problem now is how to get some turning time.... it seems she likes to spend time on the lathe as much as he does,
Jim
 
One of the most important items that you need to purchase is a respirator. An effective one can run as much as $300. The dust thrown up by turning and sanding is at the least mildly carcinogenic. Some have developed sinus infections from it. Inhalation of wood dust can cause sensitivity to certain woods, and in severe cases result in skin sensitivity.

As someone on one of the other forums said, "If you are not wearing an air filtration system, you are one."

JimQ
 
JimQ said:
One of the most important items that you need to purchase is a respirator. JimQ
Click to expand...

That is a good point!!! Ya really need a respirator. Those little masks that you get in the paint aisle of Home Depot aren't really enough. A respirator is especially important if you work with a lot of exotic or spalted wood!!

Jonathon
 
Boy... I wish I'd had $500 when I got started.. You have enough to get a good start!

That being said, I did purchase a Jet mini and I heartily recommend it.

Right now Redmond and Son has one of these packaged with a Nova Midi chuck for $279.

I think that Jet still has a $25 rebate for the Mini. (Although Redmond said it wouldn't apply to this package. 😕 ) But if you go to Jet's website they have the rebate available for the mini...

I also have the Nova Midi chuck and I turned my latest box with it so I know it's a decent chuck.

As for tools I purchased the five piece Pinnacle set from Woodcraft for about $90. It's also a decent set. I will add to it as I go along.

The thing the 5 piece set is missing is a parting tool and some specialty scrapers. I'd love to have a square "box" scraper and a offset round nose scraper for doing bowls and basic (easy) hollow forms.

I've had two HF type lathes, and I'd rather spend my money on a decent lathe from the get go. That's my two cents.
 
Thank you everyone. You all have given me alot of great information. Now I need to sit back and convince LOML that I need this equip. I have to keep showing her pictures of the things you all turn, and tell her someday I may be good enough to try to do some of the things you all can turn. If so, I could maybe sell a piece or two to add to the collection of toys or tools. 🙂 I can also make her some nice bowls, pens, candle sticks, etc. Wish me luck with convincing LOML. Again, thanks for the great info. I really appreciate it.
Mike
 
Christmas is the answer

Micheal
Ask your wife how much did you as a couple spend on Christmas gifts in 2005. Include everything, family, friends, co-workers, paperboy everybody. Now promise her that you will make all of the Christmas presents for 2006 if you can add just half of last years spending to the $500 orginal budget. Now you'll have money for pen kits & tools, bottle stopper kits and book on boxes and a few bowl blanks. There are lots of things to make. Rattles for the new babies in the family. Tops for kids. A gavel for the Uncle that's the President of the Lions club. Custom made screw drivers for the gearhead nephew. Bottle stopper for Aunt Winno. Think about it there are dozens of simple projects you as a beginer can make on the lathe. Next Christmas everyone will be thrilled with thier gifts and they will mean much more than a tube of Bath & Body Works smelly grease. As a family you'll save money too. This really works if you can sell it to your lovely wife, all she has to do is wrap, NO SHOPPING! I have been living this for two Christmas' at about 80% homemade gifts, you can do it too.
Enjoy!
Frank
PS: Woodturner's wives are the best people in the world!
 
Michael Charles said:
Now I need to sit back and convince LOML that I need this equip.Mike
Click to expand...

You could tell her about a guy (who shall remain anonymous) who made around two grand within his first six months of pen turning. Paid for all my, er... his equipment.
 
Michael,
I've made all our Christmas presents for the last three years. That is except for my wife's diamonds and when I figure out how to make those I'll get another toy for my lathe 😀 . This year she bought me a new PM 3520B. Quite a payback :cool2: .
 
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